RECORD numbers of cassowaries have been spotted in Paluma, but experts are unsure whether it is just one of the endangered birds being seen multiple times.

The community, about 60km north of Townsville, has been rejoicing at the return of cassowaries to the high-altitude rainforest village, for the first time in at least 20 years.

They are asking any visitors to record their cassowary sightings, to determine the extent of the population.

Paluma resident Roy Mackay has been counting cassowary numbers in the rainforest for nearly 30 years.

He counted about 20 of the large birds in 2013, the most he has seen in a year.

While he is unsure if any of the sightings were of the same animal, he believed the closure of Paluma's rubbish tip several years ago may have helped lure the cassowaries back to the community.

"The tip was very well occupied by dingoes and then after it was closed, the dingoes drifted away,'' he said. "The eggs of the cassowaries were allowed to go through to the chick stage rather than getting eaten by dingoes."

THEIR days on the court may be over but former Townsville Fire players Aneka Davis, Cherie Gallagher and Julia Duroux will be cheering from the sideline when the team takes on Bendigo in the grand final.